Quieroz happy with hard-fought point in Belgrade

Real Madrid coach Carlos Quieroz paid tribute to Partizan Belgrade after his side qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League with a hard-fought 0-0 draw on Tuesday.

Madrid lived dangerously at times against an inspired home side, and Quieroz said he was happy to go home with a point.

"I think we had the best chances but I am happy with the outcome as we were a bit fortunate at the end not to concede a goal," he said.

"We have qualified for the last 16 but we also want to win the group and there is still work to be done in that sense."

"It was a fantastic atmosphere and their fans clearly lifted them to an outstanding performance. We have done well to take four points from two matches against a team of their quality."

Partizan coach Lothar Matthaeus believes his side can still qualify for the knockout stage, although he admits their chances are slim.

"By my calculation, we can finish runners up if we win both our remaining matches and Porto lose at Madrid in their final match," he told a news conference after watching his players squander a hatful of chances to beat Real.

"It's still not over and we will fight till the bitter end."

"We had the better chances and the best one fell to our skipper Sasa Ilic, whose miss cost us what would have been a precious win."

"It was a good match with both goalkeepers in outstanding form and it's the main reason the game ended goalless."

The result left Partizan bottom of Group F with two points from four matches, one behind third-placed Olympique Marseille and five adrift of second-placed Porto. Real are top with 10 points.

Group winners and runners up qualify for the last 16, while third placed teams go into the UEFA Cup. Partizan are away to Porto and at home to Marseille in their two remaining fixtures.